Lessons in balancing work and parenting

She can ace a boardroom presentation, juggle deadlines like a circus act, and still remember her toddler’s favorite bedtime story—usually. But for the modern career woman with a child, “balance” often feels more like a myth than a milestone.

Between Zoom calls and diaper changes, school projects and performance reviews, the dual roles can blur into one giant to-do list. Challenges faced by working mothers are many. Less is written about these real people navigating the chaos of ambition, responsibility, and the occasional crayon on the conference room wall.

I was fortunate to get an opportunity to work in marketing again in January 2022, post a long maternity break extended due to COVID-19. I was tasked with growing and expanding the organisation’s presence in the India region, supporting local agents to increase outreach, and commencing the brand’s social media journey.

With a five-year-old who had just started school, there was immense separation anxiety both for the young child and for me from feelings of a lack of confidence and wanting to give my best at a workplace where I was a new entrant to the team, trying hard to make a difference in an already established system and group of young, aspirational individuals.

At that very juncture, I realised that balance is a must. My career was definitely important to me, and I would consciously come back to make a difference, but I was also mindful that I had a child who needed my time and attention.

The term work-life balance is used frequently and easily, but it takes a lot of skill to ensure both areas are given equal attention and effort. I had to set some new parameters for myself quickly, and here is what I tried:

Time management: An up-to-date calendar where I would avoid taking appointments too late in the evening to allow me to finish the work day and be home in time for dinner and bedtime routines for my child.

Preparation: With the demands of deadlines and deliverables in the workplace and equally demanding needs from the school—theme days, festivals, character dress-up days, small projects—nothing from this list was a non-priority. Tackling this involves ensuring prep is completed in advance so the stress of last-minute runaround doesn’t occur.

Leave work at work: With emails and time differences between work regions, I find this one difficult to put into practice. The only attempt should be to be present in the action you’re taking, so when at work, give your all, and when with your child, ensure you’re not dealing with calls and emails or a mobile and give them your all!

Hobbies: To maintain a little sanity amidst juggling all, it’s crucial to have something you enjoy to take your mind out of your day routine. In my world, I have music, and I actively pursue classes to try and master a new skill, challenge my own mind, give my soul a little sanctity, and do something that makes my heart happy. I don’t get time to practice outside of the professional classes, but it’s a pattern I am trying to break, and as my child increasingly gets more and more independent, I hope to make more time to practice.

Exercise: Never underestimate the need for some form of physical movement. You look good, feel good, and staying healthy and active will enable a better eating and sleep routine, allowing your body to support you on the journey. I personally dedicate an hour every alternate day to yoga, which helps me balance my mind, body, and soul.

Employer and manager alignment: The key here is transparency, maintain clear and open communication channels so no misunderstandings occur, plan your breaks and holidays, and inform your employer of any times you need to be away from your desk. If you’re fortunate to have hybrid working models, use this to balance your tasks at home and work effectively. 

These are what worked for me. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. As you move from a woman with career aspirations to adding a child or children to the mix, it is important to remember that you should not lose yourself in the process.

Making the use of a support system around you, maximising the use of technology to ensure you are on top of your schedule and most of all trying to ensure that you make the most of every moment, every milestone your child crosses and every small or big win in the workplace.
(The author is the head of marketing and client relationships at an educational institution)